Fútbol Star Gerard Piqué In Action

Poker is unlike any other professional competition in that all you need is money to play with the best players in the world for your shot at millions of dollars and ultimate glory. Not only does that mean amateurs players can pony up a buy-in to play with the best of the best, but poker often attracts top athletes and celebrities to the fray. Here in Barcelona, fútbol star Gerard Piqué has opted to take the chance.

Piqué was seen earlier this year in the World Series of Poker Main Event, and is now seated alongside Pratyush Buddiga, Andrew Pantling, Jan-Peter Jachtmann, and Team PokerStars Pro Christophe De Meulder in this event.

FC Barcelona's Piqué is no stranger to the felt, finishing third in a €5,000 side event at EPT Barcelona in September of 2011 and playing in a few side events at the Season 9 EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. The 26-year old defender is widely regarded as one of the best centre backs in the world, and his résumé includes a World Cup win, a Premiere League title, four La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and three consecutive selections (2010-2012) to the UEFA Team of the Year.

Oh, and he's also married to Colombian music artist Shakira.